By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent COLUMBUS, Ohio — So how does the Ohio Farm Bureau and its Young Agricultural Professionals Advisory Team rejuvenate many of its 230,000 members?
With an annual summer retreat – and this year, young ag professionals will be congregating at the Columbus Zoo July 11.
This year’s summer retreat will take place from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. It is for young agricultural professionals ages 18-35. This event is for singles, couples and families.
“We just wanted to get these young ag professionals out,” said Darrell Rubel, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of volunteer development. “Farmers are busy people and quite social, but they don’t get a chance to get away from the farm very often. This retreat will give them a chance to bond with their own families.”
According to Rubel, the get-together will allow these ag professionals a chance to network and to gain an education by mingling with others from around the state. He expects more than 400 to attend this event.
“This program will include a discussion about how proposed livestock legislation could affect agriculture in Ohio and how agriculture is an import part of the zoo,” he said. “Just like all living things, zoo animals need to eat, too.
“All the food that zoo animals eat comes from agriculture areas here in Ohio – from vegetables, grain, fruit and even the hay. It all ties in. Farmers in Ohio also provide wild animals with good habitat, as well.”
During the talks, animals brought in by zoo personnel will entertain children. Those age 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent, or a sibling over the age of 12.
The cost to attend is $5 for single, $10 per couple and $15 per family, including parents and their children. Registration includes zoo admission and lunch. The price does not include parking ($5), Jungle Jack’s Landing, Zoombezi Bay and train or boat rides at the zoo.
The event will be held rain or shine, and the lunch program will be held in the Great Events Pavilion, the zoo’s indoor, air-conditioned facility.
“If you’ve never attended a Farm Bureau event, this is a great one to start with,” Rubel said. “You’ll build new relationships, strengthen the ones you already have and enjoy a great learning experience as well.”
The United States Dairy Assoc. governs all facilities that license animals for exhibit, to include Ohio zoos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron and Muskingum.
Farm Bureau offers upcoming youth conference and get-togethers as well. The Quest Conference for ages 12-14 will be July 8-10 at Ohio Wesleyan College in Delaware. During the conference youths will build friendships and learn how to communicate with others, how to reach out to others and how to deal with stress and issues important to young teens.
Registration is $100 per person, with a deadline of June 12.
Higher Ground Conference is for youth ages 14-18, and will also be held at Ohio Wesleyan from July 19-24. Teens will learn how to enhance their creativity, leadership and team building skills through hands-on workshops and activities. Registration is $200 per person, with a deadline of June 19.
“Teens learn that they can have an impact now and don’t have to wait until years later to have an influence,” Rubel said. “We all want to build a better world, and in order to do that we build lives, one person at a time.
“These conferences not only build teens’ confidence and leadership skills, but also helps them learn how to invest in the leadership and lives of those around them. They learn that their positive influence has an impact, and it all happens right before their eyes.”
Pre-registration and a Farm Bureau membership are required to register for the Summer Retreat. To register for the latter two events, download a registration form from the event listing at www.ofbr.org |
